Cheap Flights to Zagreb

Zagreb overview

When is the best time to fly to Zagreb?

Flights to Zagreb will take you to a thriving city that’s an ideal holiday destination for any season.

Flights fill up fast for the summer months (May – September), when hordes of visitors flock to the Croatian capital to see the sights in comfortable, sunny conditions. Many festivities take place during the summer months in Zagreb such as The Day of The City of Zagreb on 31st May. The event is an extremely important time for Zagreb locals as is it a celebration of their hometown. During the day many free attractions and events are organised throughout the city such as tours, processions and live music.

Cheap flights to Zagreb are easier to find after influx in tourism brought on by the winter and summer holidays. Try looking for flights in early autumn (September – November). Days are still long and sunny, and autumn weather is agreeable seeing as the impending cold brought on by winter winds won’t set in until late November.

Late October is a great time to book a flight to Zagreb as events such as Zagrebfest will take locals and visitor’s minds off the cooler temperatures. The festival has been running since 1953 and is dedicated to entertaining spectators with a music style and genre known as ‘Schlager’, which is similar to artists such as Tom Jones and Barry Manilow.

City overview

Zagreb is one of the youngest capital cities in Europe (it was named Croatia’s capital in 1991) but the city’s history is centuries old. Travellers arriving on flights to Zagreb sometimes only remain long enough to catch a connecting flight to other destinations on the coast of Croatia, but those who stay to explore the city quickly discover its charm.

Zagreb has only recently become a popular destination for travellers, so this is not a city overwhelmed with tourists. Weekdays are aflutter with commuters heading to and from work, lunching on park benches and sipping coffee from pavement cafes. The evening comes to life with jazz clubs and candlelit restaurants lining the cobblestone streets.

Zagreb climate

Zagreb has a continental climate with four seasons. Summers are hot and dry and temperatures can reach the upper 20s Celsius in July and August. Autumn temperatures drop to the low-teens, and it is often foggy and rainy. Winters are cold, with January and February temperatures ranging from about -3 to 3 degrees. Snow is typical from December to March. By the end of May the temperatures are warming up.

Getting around Zagreb

Once in the city, you won’t have trouble getting around between the trams and buses that run throughout the city. Buy your tickets ahead of time at a Duhan or Tisak kiosk for a cheaper rate. Don’t worry if you forget though, you can still get regular-priced tickets once you’re on board.

Getting from the Airport to the City

From Zagreb Airport (ZAG) situated 19 miles (30 km) south of the city, you can hop on a bus to the city centre. Buses leave every half hour and the trip lasts around 25 minutes.

Zagreb insider information

Croatia is the birthplace of the neck tie. In the 1600s, Parisians adopted the neck gear of dashing Croatian mercenaries fighting for Louis XIV of France. The word “cravat” derives from “cravate”, a corrupt French pronunciation of “Croat”. Genuine Croat ties can be picked up in select shops around Zagreb.

Zagreb’s most exclusive shopping street is Ilica, but for a different experience go to Hrelic, the flea market by the Sava River, on a Sunday morning, or to Dolac, the farmers' market. North of Jelacic Square, the market opened in 1930 and sells vegetables, fruit, meat and fish.

Most European cities have an Old Town, Zagreb has two: Gradec, the fortified city, and Kaptol, the ecclesiastical centre, seat of the Roman Catholic archbishop. The Gothic cathedral, with twin spires visible from many points around the city, is consecrated to the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Stephen and Ladislaus.

Take the funicular to the medieval Upper Town in time for the midday gun. Each day, since 1877, a gun has sounded from the Lotrscak Tower.

The Mirogoj Cemetery is a beautiful graveyard. Started in 1876, Herman Bolle, the Viennese architect, designed the main building, and work continued until 1929. The cemetery is pan-denominational. Catholic, Protestant, Muslim and Jewish graves are there.

Museum lovers will have plenty to occupy them in Zagreb. There are several including: Mimara Museum, with almost 4,000 artefacts spanning three millennia; the Hunting Museum, taxidermists’ heaven; Croatian Naive Art Museum; Typhlology Museum, which houses items associated with the education, rehabilitation and everyday life of the blind and partially sighted; Croatian School Museum; and Croatian Sports Museum.

Sljeme Medvednica is a short tram ride north of the city.Most of the mountain is a nature park, but there is skiing – day and night – too. Go midweek to avoid the crowds.